Private yachting in Puerto Vallarta feels like the shortcut. You get a private luxury yacht cruise with all-inclusive drinks built in, cruising the Puerto Vallarta coastline and the Bay of Banderas on a schedule that you control.
What I really like is that the fun is not just one lane. You can switch between lounging with drinks, snacking on fresh ceviche and guacamole, and then getting in the water with gear like snorkel equipment, kayaks, paddle boards, and water toys.
One thing to plan for: hotel pickup is not included, and you must choose your meeting place before you book. It is totally manageable, but logistics matter when you want a smooth start.
In This Review
- Key highlights you should actually care about
- Why this private yacht-and-Jet-Ski combo works in Banderas Bay
- The boat and the vibe: what up to 15 really means
- Open bar plus real snacks: what’s included and why it matters
- Jet Ski time: supervised, unlimited, and best for confident riders
- Snorkel, kayaks, paddle boards, and water toys: the calm-to-chaos ladder
- The cruise plan: Puerto Vallarta coastline and the Bay of Banderas
- Customizing where you go in Bahia de Banderas
- Los Arcos National Park: the stop built for arches, caves, and snorkeling
- Whale watching potential: how to think about wildlife time
- Who this tour fits best (and who should pass)
- Price and value: $3,275 per group and how to judge it fairly
- Meeting place reality check: the one part you must not ignore
- What a great day on board feels like, hour by hour
- Should you book? My honest take
- FAQ
- Is this tour private?
- How long is the experience?
- How many people can the group be?
- What’s included in the all-inclusive package?
- What drinks are included?
- Do I get snorkel equipment and water toys?
- Is Jet Ski time included?
- Is hotel pickup included?
- Can I customize where we visit?
- What is the cancellation policy?
Key highlights you should actually care about

- All-inclusive brand-name open bar with options from sodas and beer to tequila, wine, and Champagne
- Supervised unlimited Jet Ski use (plus time for snorkel, kayak, paddle board, and water toys)
- Fresh on-board snacks like ceviche, guacamole, and blue corn chips
- Los Arcos National Park as a prime custom stop for arches, caves, and top snorkeling in the bay
- Private group experience where only your group is on the boat
- 4 hours on the water with time structured enough to enjoy several activities without rushing
Why this private yacht-and-Jet-Ski combo works in Banderas Bay

Puerto Vallarta is great at selling boat days. This one stands out because it stacks the best parts into a tight, 4-hour window: a private luxury yacht cruise, an open bar, and water activities that range from calm to adrenaline.
For you, the value is not just the yacht size. It is the way the day is built so you do not have to negotiate every detail. Alcoholic drinks are included as part of the open bar, snacks are included, and the water gear is on board. That matters if you are traveling with a mixed group, where some people want a slow cruise and others want to drive a Jet Ski.
Also, this is a private tour. You are not sharing the experience with strangers, so you can actually move through snorkeling or equipment time without feeling shuffled along.
You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Puerto Vallarta
The boat and the vibe: what up to 15 really means
This is listed as a private group tour up to 15 people, while the yacht setup is designed for groups up to 20. Either way, the main point is that it is meant for a group day where you can spread out and keep your own rhythm.
That matters because it changes how the day feels. On a crowded public tour, you spend energy solving problems: where everyone lines up, who gets what time in the water, and why someone’s schedule keeps slipping. Here, your group is the schedule.
The on-board experience is built around comfort and food-drink breaks between activities. You will cruise along the Puerto Vallarta coastline and around the Bay of Banderas, then shift into the water when conditions and timing are right.
Open bar plus real snacks: what’s included and why it matters

Most boat days promise drinks. This one gives you a real menu range, including water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, and mixed drinks. It lists brand-name options for things like piña coladas, beer, wine, tequila, and Champagne, plus the full open-bar idea that anything you choose to drink is included.
Why that is practical: if you are budgeting for the day, you do not have to keep checking whether a drink costs extra. When the bar is set up that way, you can relax into the cruise and not track receipts every time the music or the mood shifts.
Food is also not an afterthought. You get fresh-made ceviche, guacamole, and chips (including blue corn chips) plus potato chips. That is a smart pairing with snorkeling and Jet Ski time because it gives you something salty and filling before or after being in the water.
Jet Ski time: supervised, unlimited, and best for confident riders

If you want the thrill part, the Jet Ski component is set up as supervised unlimited use. That is important. Jet skis are fun, but they are not something you want to guess your way through on open water.
Because the use is supervised, the crew can keep things organized so more people in your group can rotate without chaos. And because it is unlimited within the tour timeframe, you do not have to treat it like a short ticketed ride.
Practical tip: if your group includes a mix of comfort levels, do not let the least-experienced person feel pressured into a fast start. Use the supervision as training time. You will get more enjoyment out of it when everyone has a comfort baseline.
Snorkel, kayaks, paddle boards, and water toys: the calm-to-chaos ladder

The included activity list goes beyond just snorkel equipment. You also get kayaks, paddle boards, a water mattress, and a water tube, plus the general set of water fun built into the day.
Here is how I think about that for your group:
- Snorkel gear is the easiest shared activity. Everyone can take turns without needing instruction for a full skill ramp.
- Kayaks and paddle boards are great when the group splits by pace. Some people like slow, others like more action.
- Water mattress and water tube are ideal if you have friends who want to play but do not want to commit to a full swim.
You can treat this like a buffet. If someone is tired, they can cruise and drink. If someone is energized, they can grab gear and make the most of the water time.
You can also read our reviews of more private tours in Puerto Vallarta
The cruise plan: Puerto Vallarta coastline and the Bay of Banderas

Your day starts with the cruise along the stunning Puerto Vallarta coastline and around the Bay of Banderas. This is not just transport. It is time to look out at the coastline, settle into the boat vibe, and get ready for the stops and water activities.
What I like about this structure is that it gives you a sense of place before you jump into the water. Even if you choose your main stop carefully, the cruise component still feels like the point.
Customizing where you go in Bahia de Banderas

This is your private boat tour, so you can customize where you visit in Bahia de Banderas. That customization is one of the best reasons to book, because it lets you aim your day at the type of experience your group wants.
Do you want iconic scenery with serious snorkeling potential? Or do you want a route that keeps your group closer to the vibe of the bay? You can plan it around what you want from the day, not around a one-size schedule.
Chica Locca Tours positions their crew and captain as the ones who can make the day work smoothly. In other words, you are not left alone with a blank map. You are deciding, and they handle the execution.
Los Arcos National Park: the stop built for arches, caves, and snorkeling

South of Puerto Vallarta, Los Arcos National Park rises out of the sea with naturally formed rock formations. The description focuses on wildlife both above and below the water, and it highlights snorkeling that is among the best in the bay.
If your custom route includes Los Arcos, you can expect a stop designed around:
- Exploring caves
- Floating through giant granite arches
- Getting time in the water with snorkel gear
This stop makes sense because it is visually dramatic, but it is also functional for water activity. You are not just sightseeing from the boat. The location supports the whole package: cruise time, then in-water time, then back on board for snacks and drinks.
Possible drawback to consider: Los Arcos is a popular type of stop for a reason, and it is also a water environment where conditions can affect comfort. If your group is sensitive to choppy water or if someone is less comfortable getting in and out, you will want to set expectations for a practical, gear-friendly experience rather than assuming it will feel like a calm pool.
Whale watching potential: how to think about wildlife time
One of the strongest themes in the experience is that the crew can add wildlife moments to the day, including whale watching. That is not something you can schedule like a museum visit, but it is something this style of trip can be good at.
How to use that info wisely: treat wildlife as a bonus that the captain and crew look out for when conditions allow. If you plan the day around having fun in the water and enjoying the cruise either way, you will be happy even if wildlife spotting is limited.
Who this tour fits best (and who should pass)
This is best for people who want a water-focused day without the usual hassles.
You’ll likely love it if:
- You want a private group experience without splitting time across strangers
- You care about all-inclusive drinks and not having to buy everything individually
- Your group wants both calm time (cruising and lounging) and active time (Jet Ski and water toys)
This may not be ideal if:
- You are a solo traveler or a tiny group and do not want to pay a higher per-group rate
- Your group depends on guaranteed hotel pickup at a specific location, since pickup is not included
- Your group hates logistical planning, because you must select your meeting place before booking
Price and value: $3,275 per group and how to judge it fairly
At $3,275 per group (up to 15), the total price is high if you divide it like a standard per-person ticket. But that is not how this product is priced. It is priced as a private charter experience.
For value, ask yourself two questions:
1) Are you booking with enough people to spread the cost?
2) Are you actually using the included extras: open bar, snacks, snorkel gear, kayaks/paddle boards, and Jet Ski time?
If you have a group that will drink within reason, eat on board, and actually use the activities, this becomes much more reasonable. If you are a small group that just wants a quick cruise with one Jet Ski ride and a soda, the value shrinks fast.
The 4-hour format also helps. You are paying for time on the water with multiple included components, not a half-day that turns into a long wait between activities.
Meeting place reality check: the one part you must not ignore
This tour does not include hotel pickup or drop-off, and you must choose your meeting place before submitting your reservation. The operator also says you can request different meeting point assistance and affordable luxury transportation to the meeting point by calling Gil, the owner.
This is simple, but it is a must-do. If you show up without a clear meeting point plan, you lose the easy start that makes the whole day feel smooth.
Practical tip: confirm your meeting place details early, and make sure everyone in your group knows where to be and when. That one step keeps the day from turning into a scramble.
What a great day on board feels like, hour by hour
Here is the realistic rhythm you can expect based on how the experience is set up.
You start with the private yacht cruise along the coast and around the bay. That is your settling-in time with drinks and snacks in hand. Then you rotate into activities depending on what you chose for your custom stops.
If you go to Los Arcos, snorkeling and floating around the arches and through caves are the headline water moments. You switch from boat to water with the snorkel gear and use your time there efficiently so the group still has energy for additional play.
If Jet Ski is the priority, plan it so it does not eat all your motivation early. A smart flow is: cruise first, Jet Ski second, then snorkel or water toys so you are not exhausted by the time you want to enjoy scenery.
Should you book? My honest take
I think you should book this if you want a private, all-inclusive water day that does not require you to micromanage the details. The combination of yacht cruising, real included snacks, a broad open bar, and supervised Jet Ski use is exactly the kind of setup that turns a vacation day into an event.
If your group is big enough to make the per-group price work, and you are comfortable handling the meeting-point logistics, this is a strong bet.
I would skip it if your trip style depends on hotel pickup convenience or if you are looking for a low-cost, lightly structured sightseeing cruise. This is a charter-style experience, so you get the best value when you use what is included.
If you do book, do two things: pick a meeting place you can get to without stress, and decide what matters most to your group (Jet Ski, snorkeling, or both). Then let the captain and crew run the day so you can just enjoy the water.
FAQ
Is this tour private?
Yes. It is a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.
How long is the experience?
It runs about 4 hours.
How many people can the group be?
The tour price is per group up to 15 people, and the yacht is designed for groups up to 20.
What’s included in the all-inclusive package?
You get all-inclusive activities, an open bar (brand name drinks), fresh snacks (ceviche, guacamole, blue corn chips, and potato chips), and use of snorkel equipment plus water activities like kayaks and paddle boards. Jet ski use is supervised and unlimited.
What drinks are included?
The open bar includes water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, piña coladas, beer, wine, tequila, and Champagne.
Do I get snorkel equipment and water toys?
Yes. Snorkel equipment is included, along with kayaks, paddle boards, a water mattress, and a water tube.
Is Jet Ski time included?
Yes. Jet ski use is supervised and unlimited during the experience.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.
Can I customize where we visit?
Yes. You customize your private boat tour within Bahia de Banderas, and popular options like Los Arcos National Park are part of the planning possibilities.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund; within 24 hours, refunds are not available.






























